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Welsh National Champs - 2004
Caersws
Writer & Pics: James - 11th July 2004
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Well after all the rain this week, the course was bound to be muddy! But no-one knew it
could get this muddy! The only dry part of the course was the sprint to the finish.
How do I get down again? - The Mud Wall...
The course started off rolling down the hill and straight into a berm, you then went around another equally large berm and get pedalling for the entry into the forest. Theres only one word for this entire section and thats roots. And lots of them, oh and slippery mud to give that near-death experience! I dont think there were many riders who made this top rock section without falling off.. There were a few very harsh off camber sections which were nearly impossible in this mud.
Then onto the mud wall, this was originally a simple roll in to a berm, a very very steep roll-in mind you, and since its made of slimy clay it meant that you couldnt turn for the berm without losing the backend or your steering. Then crossing the fireroad, you drop into the woods and weave in out of the trees onto the last forest section, theres a nice little jump on one of the flat sprints which was very well placed and gave a boring section a little bit of excitement. Then you u-turn on yourself and race through the bottom section of woods, across the fire road, drop into the finish field, zip around the first berm, then you can choose between two smaller jumps or take a wide line and do the huge jump, this
caused huge problems because of two bumps on the take off to this jump, meaning some riders where thrown over the bars and cartwheeled down the course.. Luckily I dont think anyone was seriously injured in this, just some painful winding and battered bodies. Then it was round a long corner, over the last jump and race to the finish line!
Drop into finish field
Major mentions go to Joshua Bryceland again, setting a time that placed him 4th in Elite! And he's only in the Juvenile class! Big things to come from this lad..
Donny wins the 888's for the fastest time of the day, congrats!
The Welsh National Champions are:
Phil Weller - Hardtail
Joseph Smith - Juvenile
Nikki Whiles - Youth
Tom Jones - Junior
Julian Poffley - Master
Dai Jones - Veteran
Gareth Hopkins - Senior
Congratulations to all.
Unfortunately it was a poor turnout, and Dragon DH have lost money again, if you want this amazing series to continue in 2005, get on down to the race and slap your full facer on!
Its a great atmosphere and the courses are well worth having a race on. Great Weekend.
Thanks to all the uplift drivers, Dragon Downhill, all the marshalls, of course riders for
turning up and Marzocchi for sponsoring the event!
Dragon Downhill
Dragon Round 7 Results
Welsh Nat Champs results
Pictures from the event here
The jump that caused so many problems..
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